CHICAGO, March 24, 2025 — Today, the World Dementia Council (WDC) elected Joanne Pike, DrPH, Alzheimer’s Association president and chief executive officer, as its new chair. In this role, Pike will lead the organization’s work to coordinate global efforts against dementia.
“Dementia is one of the most urgent public health challenges impacting communities throughout the world. As we face this challenge together, I am honored by my World Dementia Council colleagues selecting me to serve as the new chair,” Pike said. “Accelerating scientific advancements in treatment, diagnostics, and care are offering hope to the global dementia community, but more work remains to advance global access. I look forward to working together with our members and the wider stakeholder community to ensure continued progress in the years ahead.”
Since 2023, Pike has served as Vice Chair of the WDC. She succeeds Professor Philip Scheltens as Chair. The newly elected Vice Chair is Paulo Caramelli, Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil (UFMG) and Coordinator of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit at UFMG.
“At this pivotal time, Dr. Pike will lead our work to advance international efforts to address dementia,” said Lenny Shallcross, WDC executive director. “I look forward to working with Drs. Pike and Caramelli as we renew our shared international commitment to ensuring dementia remains a priority on the global policy agenda.”
Worldwide, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, including nearly 7 million living with Alzheimer’s in the United States. The number of people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia will nearly triple by 2050.
In December 2013, following the G8 Dementia Summit in London, the WDC was formed. Today, the WDC is composed of leaders in dementia, representing high-, middle- and low-income countries, with backgrounds in research, academia, industry, NGOs and people living with dementia. The WDC also has associate members, including national governments and representatives from international governmental organizations.
Since it was established, the WDC has been working to meet the G8 Dementia Summit’s commitment to accelerate scientific progress and improve the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. In her new role as chair, Pike will lead the organization to meet these goals. The WDC is driving global efforts to address dementia by utilizing global platforms to advocate to national political leaders, convening events, providing evidence-based insights to help policymakers identify challenges and implement solutions, and bringing together stakeholders across the dementia field and beyond to help foster collaboration with policymakers to take action.
